CVE-2017-3799 in WebEx Meeting Center
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in a URL parameter of Cisco WebEx Meeting Center could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to perform site redirection. More Information: CSCzu78401. Known Affected Releases: T28.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3799 represents a critical security flaw within Cisco WebEx Meeting Center software version T28.1 that enables unauthenticated remote attackers to manipulate URL parameters for malicious site redirection purposes. This issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the web application's parameter handling logic, creating an avenue for attackers to craft specially crafted URLs that could redirect users to malicious destinations without requiring any authentication credentials or privileged access. The flaw specifically impacts the URL parameter processing functionality that governs how the system handles user-provided redirection parameters during web meetings and collaboration sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-601, which categorizes URL redirection vulnerabilities that occur when applications fail to properly validate or sanitize redirection targets. Attackers can exploit this weakness by constructing malicious URLs containing crafted parameters that bypass the application's normal validation checks. When a victim clicks on such a malicious link, the WebEx Meeting Center application processes the malformed URL parameter and redirects the user to an attacker-controlled website, potentially leading to phishing attacks, malware distribution, or credential theft. The vulnerability exists because the application does not adequately verify that redirection targets originate from trusted sources or fall within predefined acceptable domains.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Cisco WebEx for business meetings and collaboration, as it allows attackers to compromise user sessions and redirect them to malicious sites without any authentication requirements. The impact extends beyond simple redirection since users may unknowingly provide sensitive information to attacker-controlled domains, especially during business meetings where users might be more trusting of legitimate meeting invitations. The vulnerability affects all users who access WebEx Meeting Center through web browsers, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where numerous users regularly participate in virtual meetings. Additionally, the lack of authentication requirements means that even users with minimal privileges could be affected, as the attack does not require any credentials or privileged access to execute successfully.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by Cisco, which address the URL parameter validation issues in the affected T28.1 release. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious URL redirection attempts, while also configuring proper URL filtering mechanisms to prevent access to known malicious domains. The mitigation strategy should align with ATT&CK technique T1189, which focuses on redirection attacks through malicious URL manipulation, requiring organizations to establish robust input validation controls. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive network monitoring to detect unusual redirection patterns and implement user education programs to raise awareness about suspicious meeting invitations that could contain malicious links. Organizations utilizing Cisco WebEx should regularly review and update their security configurations to ensure that all redirection parameters are properly validated and that only trusted domains are permitted for automatic redirection.